There’s Still Time to Visit the Exhibit of Alphabets

Michael Knies, Special Collections Librarian at the University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library, oversees the exhibition of alphabet and penmanship samples. Image courtesy of The Times Leader.

The exhibit of alphabets from the Library’s Zaner-Bloser Penmanship Collection is currently on display through April 5th in the 5th Floor Heritage Room of the Library.

Want to learn more about the exhibit? Mary Therese Biebel from The Times Leader recently wrote an article about her visit to explore the alphabets, If you’d grown up in the late 1800s with a steady hand, artistic skill and perhaps the ability to not upset your inkwell too often, those attributes might have led you to a career.

About 70 alphabets are on display, and they provide a rare look at the art of American ornamental penmanship from the 19th and early 20th centuries, which very few people continue to pursue.  In fact, during her visit Bielbel interviewed Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies who noted that “some college students did not learn cursive, and they’re unable to read correspondence from the 19th and 20th century.”

So stop by the exhibit and brush up on your ABC’s! You can also browse through the alphabets online in the Library’s digital collection of alphabets from the Zaner-Bloser Collection.

Calling All Artists

In honor of Earth Week, the library will be hosting its 2nd Annual Environmental Art Show. The purpose of the Art Show is to promote sustainability and raise awareness about environmental issues. In addition, the exhibit will showcase the talents of the University community. This is an open call for artwork, so any student, staff, or faculty member interested in submitting to the Environmental Art Show is welcome.

All types of environmentally themed art are welcome, this includes photography, painting, sculpting, graphic design, altered images, fashion, and any other area of creativity. Submissions must be environmentally themed. Examples of environmentally themed art include nature scenes, wildlife, humanity’s effect on the environment, clothing made from recycled or re-purposed goods, and creative messages about sustainable issues. For photos from last years exhibit please see our flickr album. Any and all questions should be directed to george.aulisio@scranton.edu. There is no limit on submissions. However, not all submissions will necessarily be displayed. All artwork will be returned by the end of the semester.

Submissions are asked to be ready for display (within reason). This means, for example, that photographs and paintings are matted or framed, any artist who has special display needs should contact George Aulisio. Please bring your submissions to the library’s Reference Desk or Circulation Desk before April 13, 2012.

The Environmental Art Show will be held in the Heritage room and runs from Monday, April 16 until Wednesday, April 25. There will be an opening night reception on the evening of April 16th for a chance to meet the artists and discuss their artwork.

For any additional questions please contact george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Rwandan Art Exhibit and Reception Tonight

Artwork by Emmanuel Nkuranga
Artwork by Emmanuel Nkuranga on IvukaArts.com

The fifth floor Heritage Room is hosting a reception tonight, Tuesday February 21st 7:30-9, for a Rwandan art exhibit on display this week in the Library.  The exhibit showcases paintings from a visiting artist, Emmanuel Nkuranga, and Ivuka Arts.  Tonight’s reception will feature a live art demo by Nkuranga.  All are welcome.

Sponsored by the Office of Equity and Diversity and CAS Dean’s Office,  the exhibit will be on display February 20-27th.

For more information, contact Dr. Sharon Meagher, (570)-941-4075, or check out IvukaArts.com for a bio on the artist and view some of his artwork.

Library Game Night Returns on Monday

The library will once again be hosting a Game Night for all interested Students, Staff, and Faculty.

We will be playing Rock Band, Mario Kart, and Just Dance 3! There will also be board games, snacks, soda, and prizes. Oh, and back by popular demand Free Pizza! First come, first served so come early for the pizza and stay late for the fun!

The Game Night is in the Heritage Room of the library (5th floor) and runs from 8pm to 11pm on Monday February 27.

Exhibit of ABC’s: Alphabets from the Zaner-Bloser Collection

The Heritage Room is currently featuring an eye-catching exhibit of Alphabets from the Zaner-Bloser Collection.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Zaner-Bloser was a leader in penmanship and calligraphy instruction.  The Company produced manuals providing examples of elaborate Roman, Medieval, Decorative, and Shaded or Spencerian alphabets.  The Company also retained the original large format penwork for the manuals and the exhibit will present approximately 70 examples of this original pen artwork.  The exhibit will emphasize the work done by Charles Paxton Zaner (The Zanerian Manual of Alphabets), Daniel Ames (Ames Compendium of Practical and Ornamental Penmanship), Henry Flickinger (Practical Alphabets), and S.C. Malone along with other scribes.

For a sample of some of the alphabets found in our exhibit, please check out our Pinterest Board of Zaner-Bloser Alphabets.

The exhibit opened January 30 and will run through April 5, during normal Library hours.

Please contact Michael Knies Michael.Knies@Scranton.edu 570-941-6341 for more information.

Need a break from Studying? Join the Fun at Library Game Night!

The Library will be hosting a Game Night November 7, 2011 8PM-11PM. There will be plenty of fun games to play including Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Rockband, Wii Fit and more! Refreshments and snacks will be served. There will also be a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card! So come take a break from studying and join the fun!

Exhibit Program: “The Genre and Its Place in the History of American Music”

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Courtesy of Photofest.
The partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart lasted for 24 years and produced “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” “Where or When,” and “My Heart Stood Still,” among other jazz and cabaret standards. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Courtesy of Photofest.

Ricky Ritzel, internationally renowned raconteur and cabaret artist, will tell tales of “The Genre and its Place in the History of American Music” from his perch at the keyboard.  His focus will be on the songwriters featured in the library’s current exhibit, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965.”

Tuesday, October 11, 6-7:30 P.M.

Heritage Room– 5th floor of the library

The event is free and open to the public.


Visit Current Exhibits at the Library to find out more.

To RSVP and for further information, contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or kniesm2@scranton.edu

 

 

 

 

 

“A Fine Romance” is visiting 55 sites throughout the U.S. in 2011-2012.  It was curated by David Lehman and developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office.  The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, an anonymous donor, and Tablet: A New Read on Jewish Life.  A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs  is also a book by David Lehman, published by Nextbook/Schocken.

The Swing Set, a New York-Based Trio, is Set to Perform Thursday Evening

Benny Goodman and his Band. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Benny Goodman’s band popularized many tunes from the “American Songbook,” including Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” and “I Got Rhythm” by George and Ira Gershwin. Goodman integrated the big band era when he invited black musicians to join his group starting in 1936. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The Swing Set, a New York-based trio, will perform selected favorites by songwriters featured in the library’s current exhibit, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965.”

Thursday, September 22, 6-7:30 P.M.

Heritage Room– 5th floor of the library

The event is free and open to the public.


Visit Current Exhibits at the Library to find out more.

To RSVP and for further information, contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or kniesm2@scranton.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A Fine Romance” is visiting 55 sites throughout the U.S. in 2011-2012.  It was curated by David Lehman and developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office.  The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, an anonymous donor, and Tablet: A New Read on Jewish Life.  A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs  is also a book by David Lehman, published by Nextbook/Schocken.

“A Fine Romance” Exhibit on Display

The library invites you to view the traveling exhibit “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs” on display in the Heritage Room until October 21st.  “A Fine Romance” tells the story of the many Jewish composers, such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, and George Gershwin, who helped create the great American songbook from 1910-1965.

The best composers of this period combined a genius for melody, a talent for finding the perfect words, and an ability to connect with a wide audience. A large number of them were Jewish—from families that had immigrated to America in the 1800s or had fled persecution in Europe. “A Fine Romance” tells their story.

The exhibit was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.

Poster for Swing Time. Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures Inc./Photofest ©RKO Radio Pictures Inc. Photographer: John Miehle

Two programs/receptions will be free and open to the public:

Thursday, September 22, 6 to 7:30 pm

The Swing Set, a New York-based trio, will perform selected favorites by songwriters in the exhibit

Heritage Room —Weinberg Memorial Library

Tuesday, October 11, 6 to 7:30 pm

Ricky Ritzel, internationally renowned raconteur and cabaret artist will tell tales of the songwriters from his perch at the keyboard

Heritage Room —Weinberg Memorial Library

To RSVP or for further information, please contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or visit http://matrix.scranton.edu/academics/wml/spcollections/exhibits.shtml for details.

  

Library Research Prize Winners

Congratulations to Rosemary Shaver, a junior History/Political Science major, who was selected as the winner of the first annual Library Research Prize!

The Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the prize to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools, and services.

Three students were selected to receive Honorable Mentions–Courtney Fluehr, Benjamin Redan, and William Woody.

Winners will be honored at a reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Heritage Room of the Library.